AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS

RUN WAY
ORIEN TAT ION
1
RUNWAY
“Rectangular area on an aerodrome used for
landing and take off “
Runway orientation is important in aircraft
operations
Current practice is to layout a runway in the
direction of prevailing wind

2
RUNWAY NUMBERS
Runways are numbered according the magnetic
compass direction they are oriented to
Consists of two numbers one at each end of
runway
Preceding that number are eight stripes

3
RUNWAY MARKINGS
Aiming Point Markings
Touchdown Zone
Markings

Centerline
Markings Runway Designation

20 Markings

Threshold
Markings
CONT. RUNWAY MARKINGS

20

Displaced Threshold
Markings
By 500 feet is the touchdown zone , identified by six
stripes
Runway numbers are not given in degrees, rather in
shorthand format
e.g. a runway with a marking of 14 is actually 140
degrees
For simplicity ICAO rounds off the precise headings
to nearest tens

6
RUNWAY CONFIGURATION

ICAO includes over 20 runway layouts

Amongst them there are 4 basic runway
patterns :
1. SIMPLE RUNWAY
2. PARALLEL RUNWAY
3. OPEN-V RUNWAYS
4. INTERSECTING RUNWAYS

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SINGLE RUNWAY

8
PARALLEL RUNWAYS

There are
4 types of
parallel
runways

9
OPEN-V RUNWAYS

Runways diverging from different directions but

do not intersect and form an open-V shape are
‘OPEN-V runways’

10
INTERSECTING RUNWAYS

Two or more runways that cross each other are

classified as intersecting runways.
This type of runway is used when there are
relatively strong prevailing winds from more than
one direction during the year.

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FACTORS AFFECTING RUNWAY ORIENTATION
WIND
AIRSPACE AVAILABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
OBSTRUCTIONS TO NAVIGATION
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL VISIBILITY
WILD LIFE HAZARDS

12
RUNWAY LIGHTING
These lights are used to assist pilot in to
identify the runway
GREEN THRESHOLD LIGHTS : Line the
runway edge
RED LIGHTS : Mark the end of runway
BLUE LIGHTS : Run alongside taxiways
While runways have YELLOW or WHITE
lights marking their edges

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14
TAXIWAY MARKINGS

Runway
Hold
Position
Markings:
Indicated by two solid
and two broken yellow
lines.
CONT. TAXIWAY MARKINGS

Non- ILS Critical

Movement Area Holding
Area Position
Boundary Marking:
Indicates location on a
Markings: taxiway where an
Indicated by a solid and aircraft or vehicle is to
dashed yellow line. stop when it does not
have clearance.
CONT. TAXIWAY MARKINGS

Taxiway
Markings:
Indicated by yellow
lines with black
outlines.

End of
Pavement
RUNWAY SIGNS
Various kinds of runway signs are also used
for facilitation
They differ according to their purpose and
action

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19
 VISUAL APPROACH SLOPE INDICATOR (VASI)

The VASI is a system of 1. White over White, you're high

lights on the side of an as a kite. / you'll fly all night
airport runway that 2. Red over White, you're alright.
provides visual descent
3. Red over Red, you're dead.
guidance information
during the approach to a 4. White over Red,
View of VASI runway unsaid / you're under head.
from
approach.
PRECISION APPROACH PATH INDICATOR (PAPI)

A light system that  On glide path when two

consists of two, three, white and two red lights
or four boxes of lights are viewed.
that provide a visual
indication of an
aircraft’s position on
 If high more white lights
the glidepath. will be visible.

 If low more red lights will

Depending on the angle,
be visible.
lights will appear red or
white.

Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI)